7 Surprising Foods That Might Contain Mold Toxins, According To A Functional Medicine Expert

Let's back up for a second. Mold is a fungus that exists anywhere there is moisture; so basically, it's everywhere—in the air and vents, under the floor, and in your walls and carpet. Some mold is OK, but when you're exposed to too much toxic mold that releases mycotoxins or mold toxins1 (such as stachybotrys, aspergillus, fusarium, and citrinin), it can trigger inflammation. It's also worth noting that mycotoxins aren't the kind of mold you see growing on expired yogurt or forgotten leftovers; they're not actually visible to the naked eye.

It's important to know that some people are more sensitive to mold than others. Most people have healthy detox and methylation pathways to clear out mold, but some people, especially people with a family history of autoimmune issues, may have more of a challenge flushing them out.

In my experience working with patients, I've found mycotoxin exposure can trigger inflammatory issues and mimic symptoms of other health problems (think chronic fatigue), which means a lot of people miss this piece of their health puzzle. While I often recommend that my patients test for mold in their home, car, or workplace, I sometimes find that diet is a major factor—particularly when a person's home test comes back clean. 

You may be surprised to learn that coffee beans can contain mycotoxin content2. I'm sorry to say, but chances are the coffee you are drinking on a daily basis is not tested for mold—including your beloved beverage from that specialty coffee chain.

Rice is a staple in many cultural dishes and is commonly used in place of wheat in a variety of gluten-free substitutes. Although rice is extremely versatile and generally well tolerated, it is also one of the foods that may be contaminated with mycotoxins.

Dried fruit is more likely to harbor mold3 because of its moisture content. Popular types of dried fruit include raisins, apricots, dates, and figs.

High in healthy fats and protein, nuts make a great snack for all kinds of nutrient-conscious eaters. But some nuts (particularly peanuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, and walnuts) are also more likely to contain mold.

What to do: I generally advise opting for raw organic chia seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, and pecans, which tend to be the lowest mold. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends buying your nuts as fresh as possible4 and discarding any that look moldy, discolored, or shriveled.

For peanut butter lovers like me, I recommend opting for a blend with Valencia peanuts5 that are grown in a dry region, where mold is less likely to grow.

Certain cured meats can contain mycotoxins from the animals being fed with mold-contaminated feed2 or through mold growth on the final product.

Through my work, I've found certain alcohols6 can contain levels of mycotoxins—particularly whiskey, brandy, beer7, and red wine.

Tortilla chips, popcorn, corn on the cob, corn syrup, cornstarch...the list of foods made with or derived from corn is endless. However, this jack-of-all-trades crop is susceptible to mold growth8.